Apparatus for displaying colored light patterns

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for displaying colored light patterns and including a translucent sheet behind which is disposed an object having light reflective colored surfaces. The colored surfaces reflect light onto the translucent sheet in a color pattern generally corresponding to the arrangement of the colored surfaces. The color pattern is characterized by a striking gradation of color tone from strong to light because of the reflective character of the colored surfaces. A preferred embodiment utilizes an object or objects having colored reflective walls which also serve as a core material in a decorative or structural panel. At least one sheet of the panel is made of translucent material.

United States Patent 1191 272/8 P, 8 M; 40/130 B, 106.52, 106.53, 132,133 B, 126 B, 132 D, 132 G, 132 E;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Locke ..240/1O R Boyle [451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54) APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING 5,220,130 11/1965 Falkenberg ..240/10 R 3,444,363 5/1969 Peters ..240/1O R 17 I a 3,575,773 4/1971 Courtot ..40/132 1) [75] Invent: Gwrge Boyle San Dlego' Cahf' 3,61 1,603 10/1971 Gesner ..40/1:10 B 73 Assigneei Gilli; (361 1501 5651; since/go; C lif Primary Examiner-Lows .I. Capoz1 Filed M h 10 1 71 Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht rc [21 Appl. N0.: 122,696 ABSTRACT An apparatus for displaying colored light patterns and [52] us. CL .7 :5 including a translucent sheet behind which is disposed [5]] Int Cl Fzlp U02 an object having light reflective colored surfaces. The l 58] Field 272/8 D colored surfaces reflect light onto the translucent sheet in a color pattern generally corresponding to the arrangement of the colored surfaces. The color pattern is characterized by a striking gradation of color tone from strong to light because of the reflective character of the colored surfaces. A preferred em bodiment utilizes an object or objects having colored reflective walls which also serve as a core material in a decorative or structural panel. At least one sheet of the panel is made of translucent material.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FIG-3 MN MW .III

INVENTOR. 5024's E. 8on5 Ame/vans l APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING COLORED LIGHT PATTERNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to colored light displays produced by light reflection off colored surfaces and onto the rear surface of a translucent viewing screen, neither the placement nor nature of the light source being critical.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are many methods and devices in the prior art which produce aesthetically attractive color patterns or designs by projection of light through a transparent colored slide or media of some kind, the patterns being projected either onto a viewing screen or diffused through a translucent sheet. The simplest example is a translucent screen with colored objects attached to its rear surface or embedded within the body of the screen. Other common items of this nature include glass fiber panels with leaves or the like laminated in the material or attached to the back surface. Advertising signs having display lettering and designs on a translucent sheet are further examples. Devices for displaying an image on the back side of a translucent screen also involve moving parts such as colored fluids, rotating mirrors, rotating translucent screens, optical projection systems or the like.

None of these prior art systems provides a simple apparatus for obtaining color gradation in a controlled fashion, or a simple apparatus for changing that color gradation by moving or changing the position of the apparatus relative to the light source. Instead, the prior art generally depends upon utilization of an object or light source which itself incorporates the desired color gradation.

SUMMARY ment of any of many parameters, including alteration of the location of the light source, tilting of the object relative to the light source, and varying the distance of the object relative to the rear face of the translucent screen. The present apparatus includes a translucent sheet for diffusing the reflected light, an object adjacent the translucent sheet having walls with light reflective colored surfaces, and a means for supporting the object in position adjacent the translucent sheet and in the path of light from a light source..

The object is generally concealed from the observer by thetranslucent sheet, but the light reflected from the colored surfaces of the object provides a pattern of,

colored areas visible on the front surface after being diffused through the sheet. These colored areas correspond generally to the pattern of the reflective colored surfaces of the object. The projected color pattern is characterized by delicate gradations of color tone from strong to light despite the fact that the object may not incorporate gradation in color, thickness, or density. This is not possible with any comparable known equipment. In addition, beautiful and variable results can be achieved without the skill of a trained artist. Even simple geometric patterns, coupled with the color gradation inherent in the present invention, are productive of reflected displays that it would be difficult for a highly skilled artist to duplicate with colored media. Thus, an amateur can utilize the present invention to achieve dramatic results and the trained artist can use it as a new tool for the exercise of his creativity.

In the present apparatus the different angles at which the light rays reflect off the colored object surfaces, as well as the shape and angle of orientation of such surfaces, and the cumulative effect of overlapping reflections, produce gradations of color tone upon the translucent sheet.

The present apparatus is relatively inexpensive, simple to construct, easily maintained, and in one practical form can be marketed as a panel in which the reflective object functions as, or is contained within, a core disposed between facing skins, at least one of which is translucent. The sandwich core material may be made in any pattern desired and, by utilizing the reflected light principle. previously discussed, providesprojected color patterns of unusual artistic quality.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present apparatus in the form of a sandwich panel;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the panel of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of another panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of one of the cells of the panel of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of three forms of cell walls adapted for substitution for the cell wall illustrated in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. I-4, there is illustrated an apparatus for displaying a colored light pattern, the apparatus being in the form ofa sandwich panel 10. As will be seen, the panel I0 is merely exemplary and the apparatus may be embodied in a variety of forms of panels.

The panel I0 comprises, generally, a circular, translucent upper or front sheet 12, a circular bottom or back sheet 14, and an object or core 16 interposed or sandwiched between the sheets 12 and 14 and adhered thereto by any suitable adhesive 17.

The sheets 12 and 14 need not be circular, but may take any configuration desired. The front sheet 12 is translucent to light falling on it from either side, but the character of the back sheet 14 depends on whether the light source is in front or in back of .the panelLWith a front light source, the back sheet may be transparent or translucent for special effect, but it is preferably opaque and diffusely reflective in order to intensify the colored pattern. With a light source in back of the panel, the back sheet 14 must be either transparent or translucent, depending upon the effect desired, although preferably it is translucent to reduce areas of shadow in the projected color pattern. in cases where the panel is intended to be viewed either from the front or back and with a light source either in front or back, both front and back sheets are translucent. Various effects can be created by varying the character of the back sheet 14 as well as the degree of translucency of the frontsheet 12. in some instances, the back sheet can be completely eliminated, particularly where it is structurally unnecessary and the light source is behind the core 16.

The reflected light pattern displayed upon the front sheet 12 can be also modified by changing the location and attitude of the panel with respect to the light source. For example, the usual location of the light source is behind the panel 10, but other effects can be created by placing the panel so that the light source is located on its front side, or by inclining the panel 10 at various angles relative to the light source so that stronger or lighter shadow areas or gradations of color of reduced or heightened intensity are produced. Accordingly, the present embodiment is merely exempla- The object or core 16 between the translucent front and back sheets 12 and -14 is preferably opaque and may assume a variety of forms, depending upon the color pattern desired. For example, the core material may be of the type common in structural sandwichassemblies, such as are used in aircraft structures or the like. This type of core material (not shown) is characterized by a regular pattern of cells in a honeycomb or similar pattern. Such a core material in combination withfront and back skins or sheets provides an assembly which is useful in structural applications, while also providing the visually interesting color pattern displays of the present invention by making portions of the core colored and reflective and by making one or both facing sheets translucent.

Although the core 16 illustrated is not an artistic creation in the sense that it was created by a skilled artist, it is an example of how a beautiful color pattern can be created with a simple geometric arrangement of elongated strips or bands 18. i

The bands 18 can be made of stiff plastic or paper, are preferably of uniform thickness, and supported in position adjacent sheets 12 and 14 by .any suitable means, such as by a coating of an adhesive 17 on the upper and lower edges of the bands to adhere them to the front and back sheets 12 and 14. A circumferential edge wall of like thickness, and also forming part of the core 16, completely encircles the formed bands 18 and seals the interior of the panel 10 from dust and dirt. The upper and lower edges of the wall 20 are also secured to the sheets 12 and 14 by the adhesive 17. The core 16 is thus supported for disposition in the path of light from a suitable light source (not shown).

The core bands 18 define or bound a plurality of predetermined areas or cells generally indicated by the numeral 22. As best seen in'FlG. 4, the bands 18 and walls 20 defining these cells 22 each include a light reflective colored surface 24 preferably capable 'of strong diffuse reflectivity, such as fluorescent pigment with a smooth matte finish. General reflection, as from a glossy surface, may be provided if desired, but the diffuse reflection obtained from a matte-like surface is productive of deeper color patterns.

In use of the panel l0,'light from the light source is reflected from the colored surfaces 24 onto the backside of the front sheet 12. This reflected, colored light is seen on the front side of the front translucent sheet 12 as a pattern of colored areas 26, FIG. 1, which correspond generally to the shape of the cells 22. Each colored area 26 is characterized by a gradation of color tone from strong to light in a direction toward the center of the area 26, the tone or gradation varying according to a number'of factors, such as the type and degree of reflectivity of the colored surfaces 24, the location of the light source relative to the panel 10, the angle of incidence of the light rays upon the colored surfaces 24, the depth of the core cells 22, the translucency of the front sheet 12, and the translucency, opacity, or reflectivity of the back sheet 14. It is important to note that it is not the image of the core 16 which is projected onto the front sheet 12, but a color pattern corresponding to the character of the reflected light produced by the colored surfaces 24 of the core walls. The reflected color pattern is quite striking and it is not immediately apparent to the observer how the delicate shadings of color are achieved, inasmuch as the details of the core 16 are generally concealed by the translucency of the front sheet 12.

Although the walls or bands 18 are shown perpendicular to the sheets 12 and 14, such bands 18 could be inclined at some angle, if desired, to further vary the degree or character of their reflectivity.

The front edges of the core 16 appear as dark lines or shadows upon the translucent front sheet 12 because of the contact therebetween, but this effect can also be altered by spacing them apart, in which case the dark lines then appear as a pattern of light lines.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate a second embodiment or panel 28 which is substantially identical to the panel 10 except for the particular construction of the strips or bands forming the core cells. Accordingly, like parts are assigned like numerals and corresponding parts are assigned the subscript a."

The bands 18a of the panel 28 have scalloped or saw tooth upper and lower edges which provide a series of light and dark lines and dots along the outline of the core bands 18. In addition, bands 28 do not include layers of reflective material such as in the panel 10, but are associated with removable or replaceable strips 30 and 32 of colored material. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 9, the strips 30 are located within the core cells and extend generally radially of the panel 28. The strips 32 are similarly located within the core cells, but follow the arcuate configuration of the curved portions of the cells. The strips 30 and 32 are approximately the same vor slightly less than the width of the bands 18a, and are made of relatively stiff or resilient paper or plastic material so that they tend to bias themselves into engagement with the adjacent core cell walls.

The geometric shape illustrated for the core 16a is characterized by split, petal shaped cells, and intervening cells bounded by the circumferential edge wall 20 and the cell walls of adjacent petals. Although colored strips and 32 are illustrated for removable disposition within the interior portions of each petal cell, additional insertable strips can be located in the cell spaces between adjacent panels.

FIG. 9 illustrates three different forms of insertable and replaceable strips 33, 34, and 36 which may be utilized instead of the strips 30 if desired. These strips may be of the same or of different colors. In addition, the different shapes of the strips 33, 34, and 36 provide a means for altering the amount of light reflected onto the back of the translucent front sheet 12. Thus, an almost infinite variety of strip shapes and configurations can be utilized to adjust the character of the projected color pattern.

In some instances it may be desirable to make parts of the reflective objects movable for special effects. For instance, an aquarium simulation could incorporate fish shapes that are securely bonded in position everywhere except at the fins, tails or mouths. Moving these parts by some means, unseen by the observer by locating such means in spaced relation to the translucent sheet, would make the panel appear to be life-like.

The present apparatus is thus adapted to display a color pattern resulting from reflection of light from colored object surfaces, the reflected character of the color pattern being projective of interesting tonal gradations without revealing details of the object from which the light is reflected. In effect the present apparatus is more concerned with the production of color patterns in spaces or areas corresponding to the spaces between the walls or surfaces of the object reflecting the light. In addition, in certain embodiments the reflective components are also utilized as the cell walls of a structural sandwich panel. Thus, the cell walls constitute the objects having colored reflective walls, serving both a decorative and a structural purpose. If desired, the reflective character could be provided by material inserted into the cells. The cells may be the classical honeycomb type, or they may be randomly scattered flower forms, or simply groupings of con toured strips, either connected or unconnected.

The embodiments described herein are generally employed in conjunction with a light source located behind the translucent front sheet 12. It is also possible to obtain pleasing color patterns by locating the light I source on the opposite or front side of the sheet l2,'in

which case the level of light reflection is somewhat reduced. In such a situation use of a light reflective back sheet 14 is helpful to raise the level oflight reflection.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for displaying a light pattern, said apparatus comprising:

a translucent generally planar viewing sheet for dif- 6 fusing light; an object including walls having light reflective surfaces disposed substantially perpendicular to said sheet; and means supporting said ob ect ad acent the back side of said sheet in the path oflight from a light source whereby said reflective surfaces are concealed by said translucent sheet from an observer at the front side of said sheet, with said light being reflected from said reflective surfaces onto said sheet in a pattern of lighted areas visible from said front side and characterized by a gradation of intensity from relatively strong to light, the character of said gradation changing according to the type and location of said light source.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said means include attachment means for securing at least a portion of said object to said back side of said sheet.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including a light transmitting second sheet generally coextensive with said object; and support means locating said second sheet behind said object.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said colored surfaces are oriented generally perpendicular to the plane of said back side of said sheet.

5. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said colored surfaces define predetermined areas which are closed, and said gradation of color tone from strong to light is in a direction away from the bases of said colored surfaces.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein portions of said object are engaged upon said back side of said sheet whereby the areas of engagement appear as darkened areas to the observer.

7. Apparatus according to claim [wherein said object includes relatively thin portions slightly spaced from said back side of said sheet to produce light areas.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said walls constitute removable portions of said object whereby walls having different widths, different shapes, or differently colored surfaces may be substituted.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reflective colored surfaces are constituted of fluorescent material.

10. Apparatus for displaying a colored light pattern, said apparatus comprising:

a translucent from sheet for diffusing light;

a passage of back sheet for diffusing light; and

core material interposed between and adhered to at least portions of said front and back sheets, said core material including a plurality of cells defining predetermined areas, said cells having light reflective colored surfaces bounding said predetermined areas and disposed substantially perpendicular to said front sheet whereby light reflected from said colored surfaces is visible through said translucent front sheet as a pattern of colored areas corresponding to said predetermined areas and characterized by a gradation of color tone from strong to light toward the centers of said colored areas. 

1. Apparatus for displaying a light pattern, said apparatus comprising: a translucent generally planar viewing sheet for diffusing light; an object including walls having light reflective surfaces disposed substantially perpendicular to said sheet; and means supporting said object adjacent the back side of said sheet in the path of light from a light source whereby said reflective surfaces are concealed by said translucent sheet from an observer at the front side of said sheet, with said light being reflected from said reflective surfaces onto said sheet in a pattern of lighted areas visible from said front side and characterized by a gradation of intensity from relatively strong to light, the character of said gradation changing according to the type and location of said light source.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means include attachment means for securing at least a portion of said object to said back side of said sheet.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including a light transmitting second sheet generally coextensive with said object; and support means locating said second sheet behind said object.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said colored surfaces are oriented generally perpendicular to the plane of said back side of said sheet.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said colored surfaces define predetermined areas which are closed, and said gradation of color tone from strong to light is in a direction away from the bases of said colored surfaces.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein portions of said object are engaged upon said back side of said sheet whereby the areas of engagement appear as darkened areas to the observer.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said object includes relatively thin portions slightly spaced from said back side of said sheet to produce light areas.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said walls constitute removable portions of said object whereby walls having different widths, different shapes, or differently colored surfaces may be substituted.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reflective colored surfaces are constituted of fluorescent material.
 10. Apparatus for displaying a Colored light pattern, said apparatus comprising: a translucent front sheet for diffusing light; a passage of back sheet for diffusing light; and core material interposed between and adhered to at least portions of said front and back sheets, said core material including a plurality of cells defining predetermined areas, said cells having light reflective colored surfaces bounding said predetermined areas and disposed substantially perpendicular to said front sheet whereby light reflected from said colored surfaces is visible through said translucent front sheet as a pattern of colored areas corresponding to said predetermined areas and characterized by a gradation of color tone from strong to light toward the centers of said colored areas. 